AZUSA, Calif. – Jessup baseball (18-14, 14-12 PacWest) wrapped up their road series against the Azusa Pacific Cougars (18-19, 16-12 PacWest) with a staggering display of power, launching a combined ten home runs to split Saturday's doubleheader, 12-10 and 13-2.
Game 1: Azusa Pacific 12, Jessup 10
The Warriors found themselves trailing 3-0 early but completely flipped the script in the top of the fifth inning. Capitalizing on an APU error that scored two runs, Jessup's offense erupted with a sudden power surge. Landyn Plaut blasted a two-run home run, followed immediately by solo shots from Tony Otis and Adam Reyes, giving the Warriors a 6-3 advantage.
The Cougars responded with a relentless offensive attack of their own, pushing across four runs in the bottom of the fifth and adding more over the next two frames to reclaim a 10-7 lead.
Refusing to go quietly, Jessup mounted a thrilling comeback in the top of the eighth inning. With two men on base, Otis stepped up and crushed a massive clutch three-run bomb to tie the game at 10-10, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Unfortunately, the comeback fell just short in the bottom of the ninth, as APU launched a walk-off two-run homer to secure the 12-10 win for the Cougars.
Game 2: Jessup 13, Azusa Pacific 2
Determined to bounce back, the Warriors wasted zero time making a statement in game two. Otis continued his phenomenal afternoon in the very first inning, lacing a two-run homer to get things started, which was quickly followed by a solo blast from Quinton Hall to give Jessup an immediate 3-0 lead.
The offensive avalanche continued in the second inning when Cody Antone delivered the biggest swing of the game, ripping a massive grand slam to put the Warriors up 7-0. Jessup's power surge was far from over, as Gabe Harris and Colby Pudge launched back-to-back solo home runs in the third inning to blow the game wide open, 9-0.
Jessup's pitching staff kept the Cougars completely contained, allowing just two runs in the sixth inning while securing the win for Landon Rowland. Rane Miller capped off the scoring in the seventh with a two-run home run, the team's sixth of the game, sealing the blowout 13-2 victory.
Reflecting on the team's relentless offensive output, Head Coach Trevor Paine praised the squad's execution. "The guys stayed ready and had a good approach at the plate. We had several big swings of the bat from a lot of different guys," Paine noted. "It was good hitting conditions and a good yard to hit in but I think we were ready to hit fastballs and did a good job of being adjustable to secondary pitches. We need to keep that approach moving into next week."
Next up, the Warriors will look to carry this powerful momentum as they hit the road again to face Menlo College next Thursday, April 2nd. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM.
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About Jessup University Athletics Jessup University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Instagram & X).
